JP2667498B2 - Activation / deactivation method of product monitoring system, case and detected means - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a product monitoring system used to prevent theft of a product, a target mask method as a method of activating and deactivating a case and a detected unit.

[Prior Art] As shown in FIG.
A target 53 fixed to a video tape 52 which is a product to be monitored, an erasing / reproducing device 54, and a target detecting device 55
And As shown in FIG. 9, the target 53 is a detection means 56 of a saturable soft magnetic material which has been elongated or stripped, and a hard magnetic material having a high coercive force fixedly provided near the detection object. And sheets 58 and 59 surrounding the detected means 56 and the shield means 57.

As shown in FIG. 10, the erasing / reproducing device 54 includes a magnet plate 60 in which N poles and S colors are alternately arranged.

When the shield means 57 of the target 53 is magnetized,
Hold videotape 52 and erase / reproduce target 53
Statically press on 54. As a result, the shield means 57 of the target 53 is magnetized as shown in FIG. When the shield means 57 is magnetized, the magnetic continuity of the detected means 56 is broken, and the target 53 is deactivated.

When degaussing the shield means 57 of the target 53,
Hold videotape 52 and erase / reproduce target 53
Press on 54 and slide. Thereby, the shield means 57 of the target 53 is demagnetized. Shield means
When the degaussing is performed, the magnetic continuity of the detecting means 56 is restored, and the target 53 is activated.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the above-described conventional technique, the target needs a detection target and a shield in order to provide the target itself with an activation / deactivation function. Therefore, the target was expensive because of the complexity of the target.

In addition, an eraser for deactivating the target and a regenerator for activating the target are required. Therefore, as the system becomes more complicated,
It will be expensive. However, the product is damaged due to the contact between the product and the erasing / regenerating device at the time of activation / deactivation.

Further, in order to activate / deactivate the target, the operator needs to have knowledge of how to activate / deactivate the method. In addition, even if educated, there is a high possibility that errors in the activation method and the deactivation method will occur and forgetting to activate or forget deactivation will occur.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned technical problems, proposes a new method for activating and deactivating the detected means, makes the target inexpensive, does not require an eraser / regenerator, is simple, and
It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple and inexpensive product monitoring system that can be activated and deactivated without damaging the product.

[Means for Solving the Problems] A commodity monitoring system according to claim (1) is provided with a target provided with a detection means of a saturable soft magnetic material that is fixed to a commodity and is elongated or stripped. And a target detection device that detects only the target of the activated detected means that passes through the set area, and covers the product when the product is taken out, and is returned together with the product when the product is returned. And a case provided with a shield means of a saturable soft magnetic material having a low aspect ratio.

The case according to claim (2) covers a fixed product with a target provided with a detecting means of a saturable soft magnetic material elongated or stripped when the product is taken out, and is returned together with the product when the product is returned. And a shield means of a saturable soft magnetic material having an aspect ratio lower than that of the detection means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the method of activating and deactivating the detection means, when the detection means of the saturable soft magnetic material which has been elongated or stripped is activated, the detection means has a higher aspect than the detection means. When the shield means of a saturable soft magnetic material having a low ratio is separated and the detected means is deactivated, the shield means is brought close.

[Operation] In the product monitoring system of the present invention, the target detection device detects only the target of the activated detection target that passes through the predetermined area. The target is fixed to a product, and includes a detection unit of a saturable soft magnetic material that is elongated or stripped. The case covers the product when the product is taken out, and is returned together with the product when the product is returned. This case includes a saturable soft magnetic shield means having a lower aspect ratio than the detection means.

Activation of the detected means is performed by separating the shield means from the detected means. Deactivation of the detected means is performed by bringing the shield means close to the detected means.

Embodiment An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a simplified perspective view of one embodiment of a product monitoring system of the present invention.

The product monitoring system 1 is used in a video rental shop, and includes a target 3 fixed by sticking to a video tape 2 to be rented, a shield means 5 attached to a cassette case 4 for rent, and a target detection device 6. Prepare.

The target 3 is, as shown in FIG.
And sheets 8 and 9 surrounding the detected means 7. The detection means 7 is made of a saturable soft magnetic material that is elongated or stripped, such as permalloy or amorphous.

The shield means 5 is made of a saturable soft magnetic material,
Permalloy or amorphous magnetic material containing ~ 80% is used. The aspect ratio of the shield means 5 is lower than that of the detected means 7.

Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the length in the longitudinal direction is L,
If the cross-sectional area is S, Is represented by

The aspect ratio of the detected means 7 is 260-600, and the aspect ratio of the shield means 5 is 60-80.

The width W of the shield means 5 is equal to or longer than the length of the detection target means 7 in the longitudinal direction, and the length L of the shield means 5 is
It is provided at least 1.5 times the length of the detection means 7.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the shielding means 5 is mounted on the cassette case 4 for lending.

As shown in FIG. 6, the target detecting device 6 includes transmitting antennas 11 and 12, receiving antennas 13 and 14, a transmitter 15,
A filter 16, a frequency selection / detection circuit 17, and an alarm unit 18 are provided.

The transmitter 15 outputs a sine wave of a predetermined frequency, for example, 217.85 Hz, to the transmitting antennas 11 and 12. Transmission antennas 11, 12
Are interpolated to gates 19 and 20, respectively, and antenna coil 2
1, 22 and capacitors 23, 24. Antenna coil 2
1 and the capacitor 23 resonate with the antenna coil 22 and the capacitor 24 at 217.85 Hz. Therefore, the transmitting antenna 11 and the transmitting antenna 12 generate an alternating magnetic field that does not include a harmonic component of 217.85 Hz. As a result, the detection region 25 is formed between the gate 19 and the gate 20.

The receiving antennas 13 and 14 have no frequency characteristics and also receive harmonics included in the alternating magnetic field. Also receive antenna
13 and 14 are interpolated to gates 19 and 20, respectively. filter
The 16 passes only the 217.85 Hz harmonic component. The frequency selection / detection circuit 17 includes a screen and detects a predetermined pattern of frequency, amplitude, and / or pulse period. Therefore, the frequency selection / detection circuit 17 can detect only the target 3 of the activated detection target means 7. When the frequency selection / detection circuit 17 detects only the activated target 3 of the detected means 7, the frequency selection / detection circuit 17 generates an output and operates the alarm unit 18.

The video tape 2 is inserted and displayed in a cassette case 4a with a title cover. The shield means 5 is not attached to the cassette case 4a.

When renting out the video tape 2, the video tape 2 is inserted from the cassette case 4a into the cassette case 4 after the fee is paid at the cash register 26. At this time, the detected means 7 of the target 3 and the shield means 5 of the cassette case 4 are brought close to each other. Therefore, the detected means 7 is the shield means 5
Masked and deactivated. As a result, the person who borrowed the video tape 2 holds the video tape 2 inserted in the cassette case 4 and detects the detection area 25 between the gates 19 and 20.
The alarm unit 18 does not operate even if it goes out through the entrance 27 through the entrance. When returning the videotape 2, the borrower may insert the videotape 2 into the cassette case 4 and enter the gates 19 and 20 through the entrance 27.
It returns at the cash register 26 through the detection area 25 in between. At the cash register 26, the video tape 2 is taken out from the cassette case 4, and the video tape 2 is inserted into the cassette case 4a for display. At this time, the detected means 7 of the target 3 and the shield means 5 of the cassette case 4 are separated from each other. Therefore, the detected means 7 is activated without being masked by the shield means 5.

When the videotape 2 is passed as it is or is put in the cassette case 4a and passes through the gates 19 and 20, the detection unit 7 of the target 3 is activated, and the alarm unit 18 operates and the lamp 28 is turned on. Flashes and the alarm sounds. Therefore, unauthorized removal of the video tape 2 such as theft is prevented.

When the activated detection means 7 has passed through the detection area 25, that is, when the video tape 2 not covered by the cassette case 4 has passed through the detection area 25, the transmitting antennas 11 and 12 receive signals from FIG. When a sine wave having the voltage waveform shown in (1) is output, the magnetic field is disturbed. The disturbance of the magnetic field is a distortion due to magnetic saturation of the detection object near a change point from one pole of the magnetic field to the other pole, and is a harmonic of an alternating frequency. Here, making the detected means 7 into a slender line or a strip means increasing a significant harmonic component. Therefore, the reception waveforms of the reception antennas 13 and 14 have pulse-like harmonic components as shown in FIG. 7 (1). The voltage waveforms of the transmitting antennas 11 and 12 have a 90 ° phase difference from the alternating magnetic field generated. This harmonic component that has passed through the filter 16 is shown in FIG. 7 (2). Therefore, the detected means 7 of the target 3 is activated, and the video tape 2 taken out without permission can be detected.

FIG. 7 (3) shows the reception waveforms of the receiving antennas 13 and 14 when only the shielding means 5, that is, only the cassette case 4 passes through the detection area 25. It is shown in FIG. In this case, there is no useful harmonic component seen in the case of the detected means 7, and the target detecting device 6 contains many unnecessary harmonics that cannot be detected as the detected means 7. Therefore, the target detection device 6 will not be erroneously recognized as the detected means 7.

Non-detection means 7 inactivated by shield means 5, ie, video tape 2 covered by cassette case 4.
When passes through the detection area 25, when the transmitting antennas 11 and 12 output a sine wave having the voltage waveform shown in FIG.
A magnetic field disturbance including many unnecessary harmonics is generated so that the target detecting device 6 cannot detect the detected means 7, thereby masking significant harmonics of the detected means 7. Therefore, the reception waveforms of the reception antennas 13 and 14 are masked with pulse-like harmonic components as shown in FIG. 7 (5). The harmonic component passed through the filter 16 is
It is shown in FIG. Therefore, the detection target 7 is masked by the shield 5, and the detection target 7 of the target 3 is deactivated.

FIG. 7 (7) shows reception waveforms of the reception antennas 13 and 14 when a tin plate made of a hard magnetic material, for example, a shield case of a floppy disk passes through the detection area 25.
This harmonic component that has passed through the filter 16 is shown in FIG. 7 (8). In this case, there are no useful harmonic components found with the sensed means. Therefore, the target detection device 6
Is not erroneously recognized as the detected unit 7.

When passing through the detection area 25 with a tin plate made of a hard magnetic material in the vicinity of the detection means 7,
7 (9) shows the reception waveforms of the reception antennas 13 and 14 when the shield case of the floppy disk passes through the detection area 25 along with FIG. ). In this case, the useful harmonic components of the detected means 7 are not masked by the harmonic components of the tin plate. Therefore, even if the tin plate is attached, the detection means 7 of the target 3 is not deactivated, and the target detection device 6 detects the detection means 7. Thereby, the video tape 2 taken out without permission can be detected.

In the above embodiment, the product is described as a video tape, but may be a compact disc, a book, or the like. Also, the case has been described as a cassette case,
It may be a bag, a bag, or the like.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, a target including detection means of a saturable soft magnetic material fixed to a product and elongated or stripped, and the product is covered when the product is taken out. And a case provided with a shield means of a saturable soft magnetic material having a lower aspect ratio than the detected means when returning the goods, and the activation of the detected means moves the shield means away from the detected means. The detection means is deactivated by bringing the shield means close to the detection means.

Therefore, since the target does not include the mask means, the target can be made inexpensive. In addition, since the means to be detected is activated and deactivated when a product is put in and taken out of the case, there is no need for an erasure / regeneration device, so activation and deactivation can be performed easily and without damaging the product. It can be deactivated, and can be a simple and inexpensive commodity monitoring system.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a simplified perspective view of an embodiment of a product monitoring system of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a target, FIG. 3 is a view for explaining an aspect ratio,
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a video tape and a cassette case, FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the cassette case as viewed from a cutting area AA in FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a block circuit diagram of a target detection device. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining harmonics generated by the means to be detected in an alternating magnetic field, FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a conventional product monitoring system, and FIG. 9 is a diagram of a conventional target. FIG. 10 is a perspective view, FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an erasing / reproducing device, and FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a conventional target deactivating method. 1 ... Product monitoring system 2 ... Video tape 3 ... Target 4 ... Cassette case 5 ... Shield means 6 ... Target detection means 7 ... Detected means

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A target provided with means for detecting a saturable soft magnetic material which is fixed to a product and which is elongated or stripped, and a target of the activated means for detection which passes through a predetermined region. A target detection device that detects only the target, and a case where the product is covered when the product is taken out and returned together with the product when the product is returned. And a product monitoring system. 2. A case wherein a product having a fixed target having a detecting means of a saturable soft magnetic material elongated or stripped is taken out when the product is taken out, and is returned together with the product when the product is returned. A case comprising shielding means of a saturable soft magnetic material having an aspect ratio lower than that of the detection means. 3. The method of activating the detecting means of the saturable soft magnetic material which has been elongated or stripped, separates the shielding means of the saturable soft magnetic material having a lower aspect ratio than the detecting means. A method for activating and deactivating a detection means, wherein the detection means is brought into proximity when the detection means is deactivated.